Coin-controlled article-checking rack



C. N. MOORE COIN-CONTROLLED ARTICLE-CHECKING RACK July 27, 1965 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 4, 1963 .L fA/V'A/TOB CARL M M0025 July 27,1965 Filed Sept. 4, 1963 c. N. MOORE 3,197,008

COIN-CONTROLLED ARTICLE-CHECKING RACK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 j/VL E/V TOE CAPLN, MOOEE United States Patent 3,197,068 CQHJ-QGNTROLLED ARTlCLE-CEECTGNGRACK arl N. Moore, tlhicagc, llll., assignor to lzines Engineering (30.,The, Aurora, lll., a corporation of Illinois Filed Se t. 4, 1963, Ser.No. 306,425 13 tjiairns. (1. 1946l) This invention relates tocoin-controlled article-check ing racks for use by the patrons of publicplaces to temporarily check garments and/ or personal accessories.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improvedstructuring of a coin-controlled article-checking rack for the temporaryretention of personal accessories by patrons of public places; toprovide an improved structure and arrangement of coin-controlled devicesfor a rack of this kind; to provide improved coin-controlled devices forracks of this kind operable only by the conjunctive use of a coin and alatch-member attached to the rack; to provide an improved arrangement offlexible elements suspending the latch-members; and to provide animproved coin-controlled article-checking rack of this kind which isespecially adapted for use with garments so as to avoid the creasing ofany parts thereof.

in the adaptation shown in the accompanying drawings;

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an improved coincontrolledarticle-checking rack constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing how a suspended latch-member isarranged for coordinated use with a coin to effect the operation of acoirrcontrolled device, constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 3 is an inside face view of the coin-operate mechanism ready topermit the turning of the coin-receiving component to discharge the coinand release a key;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view taken on the plane of the line 44 of FIG. 3showing how the insertion of the latch-member has retracted a detent topermit the turning of the coin-receiving component;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to Fl-1G. 3 but showing the coin-receivingcomponent turned to discharge the coin into the coin-housir1g and permitthe removal of the key;

FIG. 6 is a view taken on the plane of the line 66 of FIG. 5, showinghow the turning of the component has locked the latch-member in the coindevice;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation taken'on the plane of the line 77 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view showing the inserted position of thelatch-member for initiating retraction of a locking-detent;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing how the turning of thecoin-receiving component is checked by a detent in the absence of a coinin the component;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the disk-type structure of thecoin-receiving component; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane of the line11-11 of FIG. 3.

The essential concept of this invention involves an open frameworksuspending from a cross-rod a plurality of flexible elements eachterminating in a latch-member adapted for insertion in one of aplurality of key-actuated coin-devices, mounted on the framework, forcoordinated action with an inserted coin to lock the latch-member in therespective device and release the corresponding key subject to asubsequent re-insertion or" the key into the device to rlease thelatch-member and remove the checke article.

The hereinshown coin-controlled article-checking rack, embodying theforegoing concept, comprises a framework 12 suspending a plurality offlexible elements 13 each terminating in a latch-member 14 subject toinserted locking in one of a series of key-actuated coin-devices l5,arranged on the framework 12, to lock articles against removal from therespective flexible elements 13 pending a reverse actuation of thecoin-device.

The framework 12, a herein shown, comprises a pair of inverted U-shapedends 15 spanned by a top cross-rod 17, substantially medially of thebase parts of these ends 1.6, a coindevice supportingbar it; and anopposed side brace 19 spanning the opposite legs of the U-shaped ends apredetermined distance above their respective termini. Transverse braces2i extend across the legs of the respective Ushaped ends 16 in the planeof the bar 28 and the side brace 19. A shelf 21 here is shown supportedon posts 22 above the cross-rod 1'7.

The flexible elements 13, as hereinshown, preferably, are chains.However, wire or cord, of a suitable flexible nature, could be used inplace of chains. At their upper ends, the flexible elements 13 areattached permanent- 13/ to the cross-rod E7, in predeterminedly spacedrelationship. Preferably, the length of these flexible elements 13 issomewhat greater than the vertical distance between the cross-rod 17 andthe coin-device supportingbar 13, for a reason to be explainedpresently.

The latch members 14 here are shown as pieces of narrow strap-metal. Theinner end of each such latch-member 14 has a pair of opposed notches 23adjacent the free end which form a head 24. Each uch latc -member 14- isinsertable into a slide 25, in a coin-device 15, to coact with aconjunctive insertion of a coin therein to eifect the locking of thelatch-member lidin the device, as will be explained presently.

A series of coin-devices 15 are arranged along the su porting-bar 18 innumber equal to that of the flexible elements 13 depending from thecross-rod 1'7. This provides a coin-device for each of suspendedlatch-members 14.

The hereinshown location of the coin-device supporting-bar 18, near thebase of the framework, and the indicated length ofthe flexible elementv3 permits the use of the checkingrack for coats suspended from hangers26 with the flexible elements 13 extending down through the coatsleeves, as shown in PEG. in the event such a checking rack were to beused for other articles, as, for example, brief-cases and/ or smallluggage, a platform could be arranged on the framework 12. Thecoin-device supporting-bar 18 could be located higher up on the legs isto permit elements 14 of suitable length to be extended through handleson such other articles with the latchmembers 14 inserted into therespective coin-devices 15.

Each of the coin devices 115, as hereinshown, comprises a coin housing27 the top and front of which is in the nature of an angle plate 28(FIG. 2) whereon is moun ed a shiftable coin-receiving component 29 soactuatable by a spring 3% and a key 31 that the conjunctive insertion ofa coin C and a latch-member l4 inactivate a pair of detents 32 and 33normally biased to restrict the shifting of the component 29. The spring39 normally urges the coin-component 29 in a clockwise direction (asviewed from the front of a coin-device 15) to discharge a coin C intothe coin housing 27 if a coin C previously has been inserted in a slot36.

The angle plate 23 comprises a top part 34 and a front part 35 disposedat right angles. a coin-slot 36 inwardly depending from which is acoinchute 37. The front part 35 has a slot 38 at one side and, nearlycentrally thereof, mounts a conventional, ro-

tatable, key-actuated, lock-cylinder 39 on the inner end of which issecured the coin-receiving component 29.

The key-actuated lock-cylinder 39 is rotatably mounted,

in the conventional manner, on a sleeve 41 secured to the front part 35,of the angle plate 23, by an internal nut 42 opposed to the exteriorescutcheon ring 43 (FIGS. 6 and 7).

The top part 34 has The coin-receiving component 29, as hereinshown(FIG. 11-), is in the nature of a rotor comprising an intermediate disk44 and a pair of superimposed exterior disks 45. The intermediate disk 4is smaller in diameter than the exterior disks 45 and the three disksare secured together by rivets 46. The thusly-assernbled disks arecentrally bored to fit over the end of the cylinder 39 to which theyare'secured by a nut 47.

The intermediate disk .4 is recessed to form a coin pocket 43 betweenthe two exterior disks The contour and depth of the pocket 43 is such asto conform to the coin C which is intended to be used to effect thefunctioning of the coin device 15. As hereinshown, that coin C is adime. When the coin C is seated in the pocket 43 the most exposedperipheral portion of the coin is disposed in the circumference of theexterior disks 45, as indicated at 49 in FIG. 3.

The two exterior disks .5 have pairs of circumferentially-spacedperipheral slots 51 and 52. The slots 51 register with the pocket 48 andprovide shoulders 53 which are engageable by the detent 32 to preclude acomplete turning of the rotor-component 29 when no coin C is in thepocket 48 (FIG. 9). The peripheral section of the disks 45, between theslots 51 and 52, constitute a wing 55 which locks a latch-member 14 inthe slide 25 by the coin-rotor 29 (FIG. 6) as will be explainedpresently. The other peripheral slots 52 in the exterior disks 45provide shoulders 54 likewise for contact with the detent 32 and preventan improper turning of the coinrotor 29, as will be explained presently.

The disks 44 and 45 also have a hole 55 (FIGS. 6 and drilledtherethrough for the reception of the detent 33 to lock the coin-rotor29 against operation pending the insertion of a latch-member 14 in theslide 25.

The detent 33 here is shown U-shape and slidably embracing a guide rail57 forming a part of the slide 25. A. spring 58 normally biases thedetent 33 to insert the end of the longer leg 59 into the aligned holes56 in the coin-rotor 29 (FIG. 8). Thereby, the coin-rotor 29 is lockedagainst rotation pending the insertion of a latchmember 14 into theslide 25. Such a full insertion of a latch-rnember 14 into the slideresults in contact of the head 24 with the shorter leg 61 of the detent33 and effects the retraction of the longer leg 59 from the holes 56 tofree the coin-rotor 29 for rotation by the spring 39 in the direction ofthe arrow thereon. As shown in FIG.

7 the spring 58 is a leaf-type and is secured to bracket 7 thecoin-rotor 29 for the operative functioning thereof,

as presently will be explained.

The use of the hereinshown and described coin-controlledarticle-checking rack is eflectedas follows:

A garment, such as a coat, shown in dotted outline in FIG. 1, is placedover a conventional hanger 26 which is hooked over the cross-rod 1?. Oneof the flexible elements 13 is threaded down through the garment sleeve.Thereupon, a coin C is dropped into the slot 36 in the respectivecoin-device 15. Such a coin C, if a proper one, will descend into thecoin-pocket .8 in the coin-rotor 29. The corresponding latch-member 14then is inserted into the slot 38 and pressed the full distancepermitted by a pin 25 in the slide 25. In its inward movement thelatch-member 14 will engage the short leg 61 of the detent 33 and pressit back against the spring 58. The consequent withdrawal of the longerleg 59 of the detent 33 from the holes 56 in the coin-rotor 29 willperrnit the spring 35) to snap the coin-rotor 29 in the directionindicated by the arrow thereon. Because of the posi tion of the coin Cin the coin-pocket 48, with the peripheral point 49 in the circumferenceof the coin-rotor 29 (FIG. 3), the detent 32 will ride over the coin topermit a full movement of the coin-rotor 29 to discharge the coin C intothe coin housing 27 (FIG. 5). The resulting rotation of the coin-rotor25 will set the lock cylinder 39 to permit the removal of the key 31.

The sudden turning of the coin-rotor 29 brings the wing section thereofinto the facing slot 23 of the latch-member l4 and thereby locks thelatch-member 14 in the slide 25 of the coin-device 15. The garment nowis secure on the rack against removal until the key 31 is re-insertedinto the lock cylinder 39 and turned counterclockwise to return thecoin-rotor 29 to its coin-receiving position (PEG. 3). Such reverseturning of the coinrotor 25 brings the peripheral slot 52 intoopposition of the notch 23 in the latch-member 14. Thereupon, the spring53 snaps the detent 33 to reseat the long leg 59 in the holes 56 in thecoin-rotor 29. The latch-member 14- is thereby free to be removed fromthe coin-device l5 and permit the withdrawal of the flexible element 13from the garment.

It should be noted that other articles than garments may be checked on arack of this kind. Brief-cases or pieces of small luggage could besuspended from the crossrod 17 much in the same manner as theillustrated garment. The handle on such other article could be insertedover the hook of the garment-hanger 26 and the flexible element 13threaded through the handle. A large piece of luggage could be set onthe floor within the framework 12 and flexible element 13 run throughthe handle and the latch-member 14 inserted into the coin-device 15,with the same results as just explained With a garment.

In the event one should insert the latch-member 14 into a slot 33 beforea coin C is inserted into the slot 36, the coin-rotor 29 would bereleased to the action of the spring 36 with the retraction of thedetent 33. However, the coin-rotor 29 would turn in the directionindicated by the arrow but only until free end of the detent 32 droppedinto the peripheral slots 51 to strike against theshoulder 53 (FIG. 9).Meanwhile, the latch-member 14 would remain locked in the slide 25 bythe wing section 55 of the coin-rotor 29. Thus, it would not be possibleto remove the key 31 and secure a locking-in of an article. It would benecessary to return the coin-rotor 29 to its starting position anddeposit a coin C in the slot 36 and A shown in FIG. 3 and eilect therelease of the latch-member 14 and cause the detent 33 to lock thecoin-rotor 29 in such coin-receiving position.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention is herein shownand described it will be understood that details of the constructionshown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of theinvention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A coin-controlled article-checking rack comprising, a supportingframework, a coin-device supporting-bar on the framework, a plurality offlexible elements attached to a cross-bar associated with said frameworkand each terminating in a specially-formed latch-member, a series ofcoin-devices arranged on the supporting-bar, each coin device having apair of slots one for the insertion of a coin and the other for theinsertion of a latch-member, a keyretaining and key reversible componentrotatably arranged in each device to allow the insertion of a cointhrough said slot and into said component and to allow the discharge ofsaid coin from said component upon rotation of said component, means toretain said component in its coin accepting position until saidlatch-member has been fully inserted into its slot and latch meansadapted to permit continuous clockwise rotation of said component to thekey release position by passing over said coin in said component andadapted to engage a shoulder on the periphery of said component andarrest the rotation when no coin is in said component.

2. A coin-controlled article-checking rack as set forth in claim 1wherein the coin-device supporting-bar is located along the lowerportion of the framework and each of the lexible elements is of a lengthgreater than the vertical distance between the cross-rod and thesupportingbar to permit the insertion of a latch-member into acoindevice slot with the respective flexible element extending downwardthrough a fully-depending sleeve of a coat on a hanger suspended on thecross-bar.

3. A coin-controlled article-checking rack as set forth in claim 1wherein the coin-component is a rotor having a coin-seating pocket forregistration with the one slot and the means for holding the componentagainst shifting includes a pair of spring-biased detents one of whichdetents prevents the action of the rotor until the latchmember isinserted into the other slot to retract the detent and the other ofwhich detents prevents action of the rotor until the coin insertedthrough the one slot is seated in the rotor ocket.

4, A coin-controlled article-checking rack asset forth in claim 3wherein the rotor consists of an intermediate disk of predetermineddiameter and two exterior disks of larger diameter secured together insuperimposed concentric relationship, the intermediate disk beingperipherally recessed to form a pocket to seat a coin with a peripheralportion of the coin concentric with the peripheries of the exteriordisks, the exterior disks having aligned shallow peripheral slotsregistering with the coin pocket and forming a stop for contact by theother detent when the rotor is turned following the insertion of alatch-member with no coin in the coin pocket.

5. A coin-controlled article-checking rack as set forth in claim 3wherein the latch-member is recessed adjacent its inner end to embracethe rotor, when the latch-member is fully pressed into the other slot,to retract the one detent and be retained in its detent-releasingposition by the rotor pending the return of the rotor to its normalcoin-receiving position.

6. A coin-controlled article-checking rack comprising,

(a) a supporting frame having a pair of end members spanned by anarticle-suspension cross-rod and a coindevice supporting-bar spacedapart vertically,

(h) a series of flexible elements fixed in predetermined spacedrelationship along and depending from the cross-rod, each terminating ina specially-formed latch-member,

(c) a series of coin devices comparable in number to the flexibleelements and fixed in juxtaposed relationship on the supporting-bar,

(d) each of the coin devices comprising,

(i) a righ-angle plate forming the top and front par LS of a housing,

(ii) a slot in the plate top part for the insertion of coins,

(iii) a slot in the plate front part for the insertion of alatch-member,

(-iv) a lock cylinder journaled on the plate front part and seating akey removable upon a redetermined rotation of the cylinder,

(v) a disk-shaped rotor fixed on the inner end of the cylinder .andhaving a coin-receiving pocket registering with the slot in the platetop-part, shaped to dispose the coin with the periphery concentric withthe periphery of the rotor, and formed with peripheral radially-disposedshoulder adjacent the trailing portion of the coin pocket,

(vi) a first detent shiftable on the plate and springbiased to engagethe periphery of the rotor and ride over the coin in the pocket topermit the full turning of the rotor to discharge the coin and releasethe key, and to engage the shoulder and arrest the turning of the rotorwhen no coin is deposited in the coin pocket (vii) a second detentshiftable on the plate and spring-biased to hold'the rotor with the coinpocket in registration with the coin slot, and retractable by theinsertion of a latch-member in the slot in the plate front part torelease the rotor for turning by the key.

i 7. A coin-controlled article-checking rack as set forth in claim 6wherein the latch-member is recessed adjacent its inner end to embracethe rotor and be retained by the rotor in its detent-releasing positionpending the return of the rotor to its normal coin-receiving position.

8. A coin-controlled device comprising a housing having a pair of slotsone for the insertion of a coin and the other for the insertion of alatch-member, a key-retaining and key reversible component shifitablyarranged in the housing for the sequential reception and discharge of acoin inserted through one of the slots, and means normally biased toretain said component in its coin accepting position until saidlatch-member has been fully insorted into its slot and latch and latchmeans adapted to permit shifting of said component to the key releaseposition by passing over said coin in said component and adapted toengage a shoulder on the periphery of said component and arrest theshifting when no coin is in said component.

9. A coin-controlled device as set forth in claim 8 wherein thecoin-component is a rotor having a coin-seating pocket for registrationwith the one slot and the means for holding the component againstshifting includes a pair of spring-biased detents one of which detentsprevents the action of the rotor until the latch-member is inserted intothe other slot to retract the detent and the other of which detentsrevents action of the rotor until the coin inserted through the one slotis seated in the rotor pocket.

10. A coin-controlled device as set forth in claim 9 wherein the rotorconsists of an intermediate disk of predetermined diameter and twoexterior disks of larger diameter secured together in superimposedconcentric relationship, the intermediate disk being peripherallyrecessed to form a pocket to seat a coin with a peripheral portion ofthe coin concentric with the peripheries of the exterior disks, theexterior disks having aligned shallow peripheral slots registering withthe coin pocket and forming a stop for contact by the other detent whenthe rotor is turned following the insertion of a latch-member with nocoin in the coin pocket.

11. A coin-controlled device as set forth in claim 9 wherein the latchmernber is recessed adjacent its inner end to embrace the rotor, whenthe latch member is fully pressed into the other slot, to retract theone detent and be retained in its detent-releasing position by the rotorpending the return of the rotor to its normal coin-receiving position.

12. A coin-controlled device comprising,

(a) a right-angle plate forming the top and front parts of a housing,

(b) a slot in the plate top part for the insertion of coins,

(c) a slot in the plate front part for the insertion of a latch-member,

(d) a lock-cylinder journaled on the plate front part and seating a keyremovable upon a predetermined rotation of the cylinder,

(e) a disk-shaped rotor fixed on the inner end of the cylinder andhaving a coin-receiving pocket registering with the slot in the platetop-part, shaped to dispose the coin with the periphery concentric withthe periphery of the rotor, and formed with the peripheralradially-disposed shoulder adjacent the trailing portion of the coinpocket,

(f) a first detent shiftable on the plate and spring-biased to engagethe periphery of the rotor and ride over the coin in the pocketttopermit the full turning of the rotor to discharge the coin and releasethe key, and to engage the shoulder and arrest the turning of the rotorwhen no coin is deposited in the coin pocket,

(g) a second detent shiftable on the plate and springbiased to hold therotor With the coin pocket in registration with the coin slot, andretractable by the insertion of a latch-member in the slot in the platefront part to release the rotor for turning by the key.

13. A coin-controlled device as set forth in claim 12 References Citedby the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,437,742 3/48 Hofmann' 194922,655,424 10/53 OConnor 312-351 2,707,043' 4/55 Garver 19454 3,133,6195/64 Clemons et al 194-64 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

1. A COIN-CONTROLLED ARTICLE-CHECKING RACK COMPRISING, A SUPPORTING FRAMEWORK, A COIN-DEVICE SUPPORTING-BAR ON THE FRAMEWORK, A PLURALITY OF FLEXIBLE ELEMENTS ATTACHED A CROSS-BAR ASSOCIATED WITH SAID FRAMEWORK AND EACH TERMINATING IN A SPECIALLY-FORMED LATCH-MEMBER, A SERIES OF COIN-DEVICES ARRANGED ON THE SUPPORTING BAR, EACH COIN DEVICE HAVING A PAIR OF SLOTS ONE FOR THE INSERTION OF A COIN AND THE OTHER FOR THE INSERTION OF A LATCH-MEMBER, A KEYRETAINING AND KEY REVERSIBLE COMPONENT ROTATABLY ARRANGED IN EACH DEVICE TO ALLOW THE INSERTION OF A COIN THROUGH SAID SLOT AND INTO SAID COMPONENT AND TO ALLOW THE DISCHARGE OF SAID COIN FROM SAID COMNPONENT UPON ROTATION OF SAID COMPONENT, MEANS TO RETAIN SAID COMPONENT IN ITS COIN ACCEPTING POSITION UNTIL SAID LATCH-MEMBER HAS BEEN FULLY INSERTED INTO ITS SLOT AND LATCH MEANS ADAPTED TO PERMIT CONTINUOUS CLOCKWISE ROTATION OF SAID COMPONENT TO THE 